Tottenham striker Harry Kane says he is not on texting terms with golden boot rival Jamie Vardy but is enjoying the competition.

Kane’s double in Spurs’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday moved him on to 19 Premier League goals for the season and level with Leicester hot-shot Vardy in the race for the golden boot.

The two sides have a bigger ambition of going on to win the title, with the Foxes firmly in the driving seat to come out on top after Monday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle left them five points clear, but Kane admits he is enjoying the battle to be the top goalscorer.

He said: “It’s good fun. It’s good competition, to be up there and fighting for the golden boot. There’s a few people going for it during the run-in. I’m sure Jamie was watching our game and he’ll want to go and score a couple.

“It’s good competition – it’s what keeps you alive. So we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”

Vardy failed to add to his tally on Monday as Shinji Okazaki’s overhead kick won the game for Leicester and Kane will no doubt have taken note his rival did not notch another goal.

Kane added in the Evening Standard: “I’ll see him [Vardy] if we’re called up for the England squad, but I haven’t texted him or anything. We’re professional players, keeping an eye out for each other.”